Category: Mold Remediation

Water Damage Mold Remediation

Water damage mold remediation is the removal of mold caused by water damage. The process can cost you nothing or it can cost you a lot. It depends on the method of removal you decide to use. Read this article to learn more about mold remediation. You’ll also learn when you can do it on your own and when a professional service is recommended.

The Water Connection

Mold usually grows inside of homes because of water, humidity and condensation. The rooms most affected include the attic, bathroom, basement, wall interior and crawlspace. However, any room is at risk if the conditions are right. All mold needs is a nice damp and dark area to make itself at home.

Do You Need Help?

Mold isn’t always as scary as it seems. It looks frightening, but that’s usually the extent of the trouble.

A small amount of it in your shower or basement isn’t too serious. You can remove it on your own using a mixture of distilled vinegar and baking soda. Mix the ingredients to make a paste. Apply the paste to the problem areas, let it soak and then wipe it off. The mold should easily wash away. If it doesn’t, you can purchase a mold cleaner from a home improvement store.

Cleaning is only the first step in the process. You must also find the source of the problem. That means checking for leaks, places of condensation and humidity. It’s important to keep the area dry. Mold removal does nothing if the bad conditions still exist. You’ll just end up cleaning it away again in a few months.

What happens if you have a serious mold problem? What do you do if your basement looks like a horror film overrun with black slime? You call in a professional mold remediation service.

Is it Dangerous?

First of all, you’ll want to find out if the situation is toxic. It rarely occurs, but toxic black mold is dangerous. You’ll need more than vinegar and baking soda to get rid of it. Professionals should come in and check to make sure the situation isn’t toxic. You want to clean no matter what, but you might need to remove your family from the house.

If it is toxic, you shouldn’t try to remove it on your own. Leave it a professional team that has the proper training and equipment. Some people will say this is unnecessary in a small home. Usually, mold remediation is reserved for buildings such as schools or commercial spaces. However, a small home can have a big problem. If your problem is big, get the help you need.

It’s true that water damage mold remediation isn’t always necessary. That is at least, not in a home. Make sure you need the service before getting involved with anything. If you know the job is too big for you to handle, then ask for help. Otherwise, it’s probably a good idea to take care of the problem on your own.

Mold Remediation

Mold remediation involves cleaning and removing mold from indoor locations. The process is done to clean homes, schools, office buildings and other locations. You can get rid of a small amount of mold on your own. However, that could be dangerous if the mold is toxic. In a toxic mold case, a professional mold remediation service can help.

You should not attempt to remove toxic mold yourself. A professional mold removal service can clean the area using the correct equipment to do so. The cleaner will also do everything possible to prevent its reoccurrence. In order for that to work, the conditions that caused the problem must be resolved.

Where Does Mold Come From?

If you’ve got a mold problem, that means you’ve got a moisture problem. Mold thrives in areas that are damp and wet. The first step in remediation is figuring out the source of the problem. Is there a leak? Is there condensation on the walls? Is the air too humid? You must discover the source of the problem. If you discover a leak, fix it as soon as possible before water damage mold develops

You can even decrease humidity in the air by using a dehumidifier. Another option is to ventilate the problem area. Perhaps you can solve the problem by getting more air into the room.

Protection

Cleaning the area requires the proper protection. It’s dangerous to inhale toxic mold. You also shouldn’t touch it. Numerous health problems can arise from prolonged exposure. Asthma and rashes are two of the less severe side effects. When cleaning the area, it’s important to wear rubber gloves.

Goggles and a filter mask are also a good idea. Mold removal might cause the spores to disperse into the air. No one should breathe the spores or let the mold touch their skin. Once again, this only applies in toxic situations.

Getting Started

Uncontaminated items should also be covered. If they’re not, they could become contaminated during remediation. Ideally, uncontaminated items should be sealed in plastic bags or removed from the area.

If possible, seal off the area before work begins. That will reduce the chances of spores escaping into other areas. During mold removal, spores can cause mold to grow wherever they happen to land. If you’re not careful, you can create an entirely new problem.

Remediation for severe cases can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The size of the area and the complexity of the work is the deciding factor. You should only schedule this process when you have time to supervise it. Don’t plan a remediation the day before a vacation or other big event. Unless it’s an easy job you’re doing alone, you won’t know how long it will take.

Professional mold remediation isn’t always necessary. A simple cleaning job is easy enough to handle on your own. The danger arises when dealing with toxic mold. It can make you sick if you don’t know how to properly dispose of it. It’s best to hire a professional cleaner in toxic situations.